How to Take Care of Schefflera Plants

Schefflera, also called the Australian umbrella tree, provides deep green color to your indoor spaces. This large houseplant is grown for its broad foliage that resembles the spread of an umbrella. Schefflera grows as a small indoor tree or small potted shrub, thriving in the lower light conditions found inside the home or office. The schefflera requires only a minimum amount of regular care to remain healthy and attractive.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer
• Shears

Instructions

1. Set the schefflera where it receives approximately six hours of bright, indirect lighting. Place it near a south- or east-facing window, or set it directly in front of a brightly lit window that is covered in a sheer window covering.

2. Choose a room with temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Sheffleras prefer warmer temperatures during the day and temperatures below 70 F at night.

3. Water the schefflera when the top 3 inches of soil in the pot begins to feel dry. Water from the top of the pot until the excess water just begins to drip out of the bottom drainage holes in the pot.

4. Fertilize the plant once monthly in spring, summer and fall with a balanced houseplant food, following the recommended rate on the package. Fertilize in winter at half the recommended rate. Fertilize right before or right after a regular irrigation.

5. Prune out dead and damaged leaves and leaf stalks as needed. Cut the leaves off with shears where they join the stalk. Cut out dead stalks at the base where they emerge from the soil or trunk of the plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Supplement natural light with artificial grow lights if you do not have a brightly lit area for the plant.

References

• Fort Valley State University: Schefflera -- Indoor Care
• North Dakota Extension: Questions on Schefflera